Tavern on the Green is back _ with vendor food

About three years ago, it was still one of the world's top-grossing restaurants, plating more than 700,000 meals a year that brought in about $38 million.

In January, everything in the bankrupt restaurant was up for auction - from the kitschy chandeliers of capitalism to a banner touting the motto of communism. Proceeds went toward the $8 million debt.

A former sheepfold off Central Park West, the defunct Tavern sits on city property. Warner LeRoy took over its operating license in 1973, refurbishing it with whimsical objects purchased around the world. From the Soviet Union came a red velvet banner inscribed in Russian with the international communist motto, "Workers of all nations, unite!"

In New York reality, the cost of keeping a large group of unionized workers was the reason the restaurant did not reopen earlier this year under a new operator, industry observers say. Restaurateur Dean Poll said he would not go forward with plans to take over because it was impossible to come to an agreement with the Local 6 of the Hotel Employees & Restaurant Employees International Union.

The city has set no date for requesting new proposals for the Tavern.

For now, workers are fixing the roof and renovating the red brick building, while they finish setting up the vendor terrace with tables and chairs.